Wednesday 31 January 2007

Travelling to a Karen Village

My friend Scott Donald and I once joined Stewart Gramenz on a short-term mission to Thailand. See the adventure - including miracles, healings and baptisms - on this 9 minute video:

Travelling to a Karen Village

My friend Scott Donald and I once joined Stewart Gramenz on a short-term mission to Thailand. See the adventure - including miracles, healings and baptisms - on this 9 minute video:

Travelling to a Karen Village

My friend Scott Donald and I once joined Stewart Gramenz on a short-term mission to Thailand. See the adventure - including miracles, healings and baptisms - on this 9 minute video:

Sunday 28 January 2007

Japanese Church

Dad preached a wonderful Australia Day message. He said that throughout Australia's history, God was working towards creating a country that gives you and I - including visitors from Japan - the opportunity to receive the Kingdom of God.

I also met a Japanese lady who told me a wonderful testimony. She said she became a Christian several months ago, and one day when she was alone praying, she began speaking with tongues. At first she was afraid, because she didn't even know there was any such thing as speaking with tongues. But now she understands, and she prays in tongues all the time.

She also has many strong experiences of the Lord's presence. And she says the Lord has led her to begin studying theology.

Her whole face lights up for joy.

"But why me?" she asks, "I'm already 50 years old!"

"Praise the Lord," we both said.
Japanese Church

Dad preached a wonderful Australia Day message. He said that throughout Australia's history, God was working towards creating a country that gives you and I - including visitors from Japan - the opportunity to receive the Kingdom of God.

I also met a Japanese lady who told me a wonderful testimony. She said she became a Christian several months ago, and one day when she was alone praying, she began speaking with tongues. At first she was afraid, because she didn't even know there was any such thing as speaking with tongues. But now she understands, and she prays in tongues all the time.

She also has many strong experiences of the Lord's presence. And she says the Lord has led her to begin studying theology.

Her whole face lights up for joy.

"But why me?" she asks, "I'm already 50 years old!"

"Praise the Lord," we both said.
Japanese Church

Dad preached a wonderful Australia Day message. He said that throughout Australia's history, God was working towards creating a country that gives you and I - including visitors from Japan - the opportunity to receive the Kingdom of God.

I also met a Japanese lady who told me a wonderful testimony. She said she became a Christian several months ago, and one day when she was alone praying, she began speaking with tongues. At first she was afraid, because she didn't even know there was any such thing as speaking with tongues. But now she understands, and she prays in tongues all the time.

She also has many strong experiences of the Lord's presence. And she says the Lord has led her to begin studying theology.

Her whole face lights up for joy.

"But why me?" she asks, "I'm already 50 years old!"

"Praise the Lord," we both said.

Wednesday 10 January 2007

A Good Night

Michael started the evening off saying there is nothing we need to do to get God to want to touch us. He already wants to touch us so much!

During communion, Bennett shared that we were not saved through a religious act, but through accepting the finished work of Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.

Pastor Erica shared that just as we cannot see what holds the Universe together, so it is God who is holding our life together.

I had a nice talk with one of the Transformation residents. He has been reading a book about a brother who discovered Gods plan for his life through spending many hours at a time, for months on end, speaking with tongues. "Could that just be his experience?" he asked me, "because I seem to experience easily and instantly, what others take months to experience".

I replied that Jesus paid the price, so for us it is free - so he could be onto something.

He said, "I think books like that are not good because they make it seem too hard".

I said, "One person may take half a night to get something from God, but that does not mean another person needs to spend half a night, if he is able to receive the same thing straightaway. However if somebody wants to spend hours and months speaking with tongues, there is going to be some benefit."

Then he noted that during some recent Sunday meetings, he and perhaps one other person were touched by the Holy Spirit, when others did not seem to be. He asked whether this was the Holy Spirit within him - because if it was the anointing present in the meeting that was coming upon him, he would have thought that the meeting leader would have run with it, instead of moving on with the program.

I replied that it is probably both - the Holy Spirit in him, and the anointing coming upon him.

"Whenever the Holy Spirit touches one or two people like that in a meeting," I said, "anyone else who wants to can receive it too."

"I have noticed that they often just continue with their program," he said.

I explained that different people (and leaders) have differing degrees of hunger; and also differing functions.

For example, Jesus had twelve disciples, but only one of them wanted to lean on His chest. Jesus had a soft spot for him, because he wanted to stay closer for longer. Similarly, some people are happy just to see a couple of people get touched, but for the most part to just move on with their program; whereas someone else, when he or she sees that the Holy Spirit has visited and is touching one or two people, will hunger for it themselves, and will open up the whole meeting at that point for the Holy Spirit to flow and touch all who want to receive.

Then again one leader may be called with a function that tends to focus more singularly on the manifestation of the Spirit - therefore these tend to prioritize it more singularly; whilst another leader, such as the Senior Pastor, may be called to be responsible for a wider number of concerns in church life.

The conversation hightlighted again that God wants to touch us freely.

At one stage Michael laid his hands on me. He hardly said a word except, "Lord touch John". I instantly felt released from a burden in my mind, a burden I had struggled against unsuccessfully despite a day of prayer, fasting and confessing the Word. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Many others were touched profoundly by the presence of the Holy Spirit tonight. There was laughter, shaking, tongues. One unsaved person asked Michael, "Would you put your hand on me and baptize me?" So Michael led him in the prayer of salvation first, and then laid hands on him. He ended-up shaking under the power of the Holy Ghost. That is the way to get saved!
A Good Night

Michael started the evening off saying there is nothing we need to do to get God to want to touch us. He already wants to touch us so much!

During communion, Bennett shared that we were not saved through a religious act, but through accepting the finished work of Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.

Pastor Erica shared that just as we cannot see what holds the Universe together, so it is God who is holding our life together.

I had a nice talk with one of the Transformation residents. He has been reading a book about a brother who discovered Gods plan for his life through spending many hours at a time, for months on end, speaking with tongues. "Could that just be his experience?" he asked me, "because I seem to experience easily and instantly, what others take months to experience".

I replied that Jesus paid the price, so for us it is free - so he could be onto something.

He said, "I think books like that are not good because they make it seem too hard".

I said, "One person may take half a night to get something from God, but that does not mean another person needs to spend half a night, if he is able to receive the same thing straightaway. However if somebody wants to spend hours and months speaking with tongues, there is going to be some benefit."

Then he noted that during some recent Sunday meetings, he and perhaps one other person were touched by the Holy Spirit, when others did not seem to be. He asked whether this was the Holy Spirit within him - because if it was the anointing present in the meeting that was coming upon him, he would have thought that the meeting leader would have run with it, instead of moving on with the program.

I replied that it is probably both - the Holy Spirit in him, and the anointing coming upon him.

"Whenever the Holy Spirit touches one or two people like that in a meeting," I said, "anyone else who wants to can receive it too."

"I have noticed that they often just continue with their program," he said.

I explained that different people (and leaders) have differing degrees of hunger; and also differing functions.

For example, Jesus had twelve disciples, but only one of them wanted to lean on His chest. Jesus had a soft spot for him, because he wanted to stay closer for longer. Similarly, some people are happy just to see a couple of people get touched, but for the most part to just move on with their program; whereas someone else, when he or she sees that the Holy Spirit has visited and is touching one or two people, will hunger for it themselves, and will open up the whole meeting at that point for the Holy Spirit to flow and touch all who want to receive.

Then again one leader may be called with a function that tends to focus more singularly on the manifestation of the Spirit - therefore these tend to prioritize it more singularly; whilst another leader, such as the Senior Pastor, may be called to be responsible for a wider number of concerns in church life.

The conversation hightlighted again that God wants to touch us freely.

At one stage Michael laid his hands on me. He hardly said a word except, "Lord touch John". I instantly felt released from a burden in my mind, a burden I had struggled against unsuccessfully despite a day of prayer, fasting and confessing the Word. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Many others were touched profoundly by the presence of the Holy Spirit tonight. There was laughter, shaking, tongues. One unsaved person asked Michael, "Would you put your hand on me and baptize me?" So Michael led him in the prayer of salvation first, and then laid hands on him. He ended-up shaking under the power of the Holy Ghost. That is the way to get saved!
A Good Night

Michael started the evening off saying there is nothing we need to do to get God to want to touch us. He already wants to touch us so much!

During communion, Bennett shared that we were not saved through a religious act, but through accepting the finished work of Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.

Pastor Erica shared that just as we cannot see what holds the Universe together, so it is God who is holding our life together.

I had a nice talk with one of the Transformation residents. He has been reading a book about a brother who discovered Gods plan for his life through spending many hours at a time, for months on end, speaking with tongues. "Could that just be his experience?" he asked me, "because I seem to experience easily and instantly, what others take months to experience".

I replied that Jesus paid the price, so for us it is free - so he could be onto something.

He said, "I think books like that are not good because they make it seem too hard".

I said, "One person may take half a night to get something from God, but that does not mean another person needs to spend half a night, if he is able to receive the same thing straightaway. However if somebody wants to spend hours and months speaking with tongues, there is going to be some benefit."

Then he noted that during some recent Sunday meetings, he and perhaps one other person were touched by the Holy Spirit, when others did not seem to be. He asked whether this was the Holy Spirit within him - because if it was the anointing present in the meeting that was coming upon him, he would have thought that the meeting leader would have run with it, instead of moving on with the program.

I replied that it is probably both - the Holy Spirit in him, and the anointing coming upon him.

"Whenever the Holy Spirit touches one or two people like that in a meeting," I said, "anyone else who wants to can receive it too."

"I have noticed that they often just continue with their program," he said.

I explained that different people (and leaders) have differing degrees of hunger; and also differing functions.

For example, Jesus had twelve disciples, but only one of them wanted to lean on His chest. Jesus had a soft spot for him, because he wanted to stay closer for longer. Similarly, some people are happy just to see a couple of people get touched, but for the most part to just move on with their program; whereas someone else, when he or she sees that the Holy Spirit has visited and is touching one or two people, will hunger for it themselves, and will open up the whole meeting at that point for the Holy Spirit to flow and touch all who want to receive.

Then again one leader may be called with a function that tends to focus more singularly on the manifestation of the Spirit - therefore these tend to prioritize it more singularly; whilst another leader, such as the Senior Pastor, may be called to be responsible for a wider number of concerns in church life.

The conversation hightlighted again that God wants to touch us freely.

At one stage Michael laid his hands on me. He hardly said a word except, "Lord touch John". I instantly felt released from a burden in my mind, a burden I had struggled against unsuccessfully despite a day of prayer, fasting and confessing the Word. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Many others were touched profoundly by the presence of the Holy Spirit tonight. There was laughter, shaking, tongues. One unsaved person asked Michael, "Would you put your hand on me and baptize me?" So Michael led him in the prayer of salvation first, and then laid hands on him. He ended-up shaking under the power of the Holy Ghost. That is the way to get saved!

Sunday 7 January 2007

Mesopotamian Kebab

Today after dropping David and mum at the airport to visit Jill, Michael and PJ in Melbourne, David's first plane trip, and after spending a little time at home with Dad, I desired to go out and eat, and hopefully to have some fellowship with the brethren. I specifically desired Josh Burton's company.

I thought of going to Hungry Jacks, however on the way, I began to desire a Kebab, and I felt led to go to the Mesopotamian Kebabs at Broadbeach.

So I drove there, parked, and began walking towards the Kebab shop.

As I was walking along the footpath, I wondered what my answer would be if I happened to see some different people I know elsewhere before I got there: would I stop and stay with them instead?

Seconds later I heard this, "Hello John!"

It was Bennett, Carl and Pastor Erica sitting at a Japanese Restaurant, and Bennett invited me to join them - exactly the scenario I'd imagined.

It was a difficult decision, but I decided to stick with my original impression of going for a Kebab.

After I left them, I nearly felt like going back. But when I turned the corner, there, outside the shop, with Kebabs in their hands, was the towering presence of Michael Barrett, and with him, Josh Burton, Kristian, Ari, Kiwi and others. It was a bonanza! I rejoiced.

I had no idea anyone from church was going to be at Broadbeach that night, but God knew, and He led me there, to fulfill my desire for a Kebab and for fellowship, with the very people with whom I'd desired it - and others besides: for a crowd from Generation Church and Dreamcentre turned up as well, a few of whom I knew, like Rachel, Gareth, and Karla.

After the Kebabs, the others crossed the road to Starbucks, but I felt led not to. I walked up to the Coffee Club, had a nice talk to Jacek who works there, and there I saw Brett and Steve Corrigan who is down for a week from Emerald for Colin's wedding to Trudy next weekend, in which he is the groomsman. Sarah was with them too. We all walked back to Starbucks together for more fellowship. By this time Bennett and Karl had turned up, so I got to talk to them anyway, although Pastor Erica had gone home.

What a wonderful God is Jesus!
Mesopotamian Kebab

Today after dropping David and mum at the airport to visit Jill, Michael and PJ in Melbourne, David's first plane trip, and after spending a little time at home with Dad, I desired to go out and eat, and hopefully to have some fellowship with the brethren. I specifically desired Josh Burton's company.

I thought of going to Hungry Jacks, however on the way, I began to desire a Kebab, and I felt led to go to the Mesopotamian Kebabs at Broadbeach.

So I drove there, parked, and began walking towards the Kebab shop.

As I was walking along the footpath, I wondered what my answer would be if I happened to see some different people I know elsewhere before I got there: would I stop and stay with them instead?

Seconds later I heard this, "Hello John!"

It was Bennett, Carl and Pastor Erica sitting at a Japanese Restaurant, and Bennett invited me to join them - exactly the scenario I'd imagined.

It was a difficult decision, but I decided to stick with my original impression of going for a Kebab.

After I left them, I nearly felt like going back. But when I turned the corner, there, outside the shop, with Kebabs in their hands, was the towering presence of Michael Barrett, and with him, Josh Burton, Kristian, Ari, Kiwi and others. It was a bonanza! I rejoiced.

I had no idea anyone from church was going to be at Broadbeach that night, but God knew, and He led me there, to fulfill my desire for a Kebab and for fellowship, with the very people with whom I'd desired it - and others besides: for a crowd from Generation Church and Dreamcentre turned up as well, a few of whom I knew, like Rachel, Gareth, and Karla.

After the Kebabs, the others crossed the road to Starbucks, but I felt led not to. I walked up to the Coffee Club, had a nice talk to Jacek who works there, and there I saw Brett and Steve Corrigan who is down for a week from Emerald for Colin's wedding to Trudy next weekend, in which he is the groomsman. Sarah was with them too. We all walked back to Starbucks together for more fellowship. By this time Bennett and Karl had turned up, so I got to talk to them anyway, although Pastor Erica had gone home.

What a wonderful God is Jesus!
Mesopotamian Kebab

Today after dropping David and mum at the airport to visit Jill, Michael and PJ in Melbourne, David's first plane trip, and after spending a little time at home with Dad, I desired to go out and eat, and hopefully to have some fellowship with the brethren. I specifically desired Josh Burton's company.

I thought of going to Hungry Jacks, however on the way, I began to desire a Kebab, and I felt led to go to the Mesopotamian Kebabs at Broadbeach.

So I drove there, parked, and began walking towards the Kebab shop.

As I was walking along the footpath, I wondered what my answer would be if I happened to see some different people I know elsewhere before I got there: would I stop and stay with them instead?

Seconds later I heard this, "Hello John!"

It was Bennett, Carl and Pastor Erica sitting at a Japanese Restaurant, and Bennett invited me to join them - exactly the scenario I'd imagined.

It was a difficult decision, but I decided to stick with my original impression of going for a Kebab.

After I left them, I nearly felt like going back. But when I turned the corner, there, outside the shop, with Kebabs in their hands, was the towering presence of Michael Barrett, and with him, Josh Burton, Kristian, Ari, Kiwi and others. It was a bonanza! I rejoiced.

I had no idea anyone from church was going to be at Broadbeach that night, but God knew, and He led me there, to fulfill my desire for a Kebab and for fellowship, with the very people with whom I'd desired it - and others besides: for a crowd from Generation Church and Dreamcentre turned up as well, a few of whom I knew, like Rachel, Gareth, and Karla.

After the Kebabs, the others crossed the road to Starbucks, but I felt led not to. I walked up to the Coffee Club, had a nice talk to Jacek who works there, and there I saw Brett and Steve Corrigan who is down for a week from Emerald for Colin's wedding to Trudy next weekend, in which he is the groomsman. Sarah was with them too. We all walked back to Starbucks together for more fellowship. By this time Bennett and Karl had turned up, so I got to talk to them anyway, although Pastor Erica had gone home.

What a wonderful God is Jesus!
Muli Muli

This year I invited Bennett to come with me to Muli Muli, and asked him to also invite Kahl and Stacey. The thought didn't occur to me to invite Belinda, even though she is one of their friends; and when I was about to invite Jocie, the Holy Spirit withstood me. And the evening we got back from Muli Muli, I went to church, and I learned from Belinda that she was at work the day we left, and Jocie was in New Zealand. So the Lord was leading me regarding who to invite. Everyone I invited was able to come.

Anyway, when I first invited Bennett, he didn't give me an answer straightaway. He decided to wait until later in the week to decide. And I also wanted to take Paul Payton with me. I felt like I wanted to go on Saturday and stay until Sunday. Anyway, Bennett contacted me on Friday night, keen to come. He offered to pick me up, in Stacey's car. The Lord always provides me a way of getting there! And Paul also contacted me, saying that he had a rare opportunity to come, because his two oldest kids were away in Victoria, giving Michelle two fewer children to look after. Originally Paul thought he might travel in the car with us. The only problem was, Bennett and the others wanted to be back for church the next morning, rather than stay overnight. Plus, although I wanted the others to come, and although I know it would have been nice for us all to travel up in one car together, I actually had some sort of a feeling like I wanted to be in Paul's meek company alone, during the drive up. Well Paul suddenly decided to drive his own car up, because he wanted to stay overnight. So it all came to pass exactly as I'd desired. Paul and I stayed overnight, whilst the others drove home on Saturday night.

I was hoping the others wouldn't be disappointed that we weren't all in one car, so I prayed that the Lord would pour out His river in their car during the drive up; and that He would cause each of them to be filled with awe and wonder about the whole trip.

God answered my prayer, because when we stopped to look at the Historic Tunnel just before Canungra, when they opened their car doors, we found them soaking in the Holy Spirit. God indeed poured out His river! God also answered my second prayer, because they so enjoyed the scenery on the way up; and then when we arrived in Muli Muli, instead of taking the first left turn I felt led to drive up to the second one; and when we drove slowly through a large group of children standing on the road, they all slapped our cars in joyous welcome, as though we were passing through some guard of honour, which my guests were delighted about! Not to mention the glorious afternoon sunrays beaming down on Mt Lindesay; and the beautiful sounds of the bellbirds as we passed through the rain-forest, which we wound our windows down to hear. It was all very nice. Mt Lindesay has different lighting on it everytime I go there; and this time was no exception.

The Christmas Rally at Muli has been going for more than 101 years, making it one of the oldest Pentecostal works in Australia. What is unique about the Pentecostalism of Muli, is that it was introduced to the Muli Muli community by an aborigine, not by white missionaries. A certain aboriginal brother had been brought-up by white Christians in North Queensland. The time came where this particular brother felt it was time he took the message of Pentecost to his people. So he began a missionary journey of his own, down the Coast of Queensland and into the Northern Rivers region of northern New South Wales, taking the message of Pentecost wherever he went. He walked to Muli Muli from Kyogle, lighting campfires along the way, camping out under the night sky. It would have taken weeks to walk some of the distances he walked.

When he arrived at Muli Muli, there were no houses there - only bark humpies and campfires. Muli Muli means many hills. The original aboriginal name for the community was a word that means bark.

These early aboriginal preachers couldn't read, but they were able to read the Bible.

It was good to see sister Charlotte Paige, the only person remaining who knows how to speak the aboriginal language of the community. She is a godly stalwart of a woman, and generous.

It was such a delight to me when Pastor Francis said from the pulpit, "It's good to see my good friend brother John here again".

I just loved talking with him, after the meeting. There is no-one quite like him, in gentleness, meekness, pureness and love of the Holy Spirit.

I think also that his son Philip has the same spirit.

After the meeting, the Lord said, "Don't go up to Pastor Francis's house", like I usually would. Instead I sensed that Paul and I were to be staying elsewhere that night, down lower, not as high up on the hill.

Whilst Pastor Francis was off arranging a place for us to stay, I still felt led not to go up the hill. And I felt led to approach some other white visitors to Muli just to say hello. Whilst I did so, another gentleman approached us, and together they invited us to spend the night at the house where they had been staying. It felt right in my spirit. It happened to be David's house, Pastor's Francis's son-in-law, in Woodenbong. Pastor Francis was more than happy for us to stay there.

So we went there to find a whole "house" with ten beds in it! It was as good a "hotel" as one could find in Woodenbong. It was already late when we arrived, so we didn't go next door and ask David if it was o.k., so assurred were the guys that it would be fine with David.

I was delighted with how God had led us to such suitable dwellings!

It also gave us the opportunity to get to know some wonderful people, in the morning, including David himself, whom we met for the first time in the morning. When I told us we'd actually stayed at his next-door house the night before, he laughed and said we are welcome. He actually told me that I am welcome to stay there anytime, even when they are not home. If I'm passing through, I may stay there; or I may even make a deliberate detour, just to stay there, he said. He said he has only made this offer to two people, and I'm one of them. "God recommended you," he said, and we embraced in the love of Jesus.

We gave out presents, and Paul gave out CDs of his worship music. After the morning meeting, I felt led to go up to Pastor Francis' house before we left. Paul seemed keen to keep talking over lunch; he even thought about staying for the night meeting - but I sensed that we would best aim to be home around 3pm, for his wife's sake.

Anyway, I didn't push it, so we were a bit later than that getting home. Some days later, Paul told me that his wife actually started to get worried at 3pm, because he wasn't home yet. "You're quite sensitive," he said.

It was lovely to fellowship with all the brethren again; what God has done at Muli Muli is a treasure.

Elder Robert Boota's position was made redundant, and he was offered a transfer, which would have meant moving. But Muli is his place, so he became unemployed, after working for them for 20 years. Instead, he started his own business, and now employs six people. He has won two tenders for cleaning and reforestration, and he charges $15,000 per kilometre. He does all the administrative work, whilst the other guys do all the labour. In a radius of many, many miles, he cleans the rivers of weed, etc. I was very impressed with his initiative and entrepreneurship.
Muli Muli

This year I invited Bennett to come with me to Muli Muli, and asked him to also invite Kahl and Stacey. The thought didn't occur to me to invite Belinda, even though she is one of their friends; and when I was about to invite Jocie, the Holy Spirit withstood me. And the evening we got back from Muli Muli, I went to church, and I learned from Belinda that she was at work the day we left, and Jocie was in New Zealand. So the Lord was leading me regarding who to invite. Everyone I invited was able to come.

Anyway, when I first invited Bennett, he didn't give me an answer straightaway. He decided to wait until later in the week to decide. And I also wanted to take Paul Payton with me. I felt like I wanted to go on Saturday and stay until Sunday. Anyway, Bennett contacted me on Friday night, keen to come. He offered to pick me up, in Stacey's car. The Lord always provides me a way of getting there! And Paul also contacted me, saying that he had a rare opportunity to come, because his two oldest kids were away in Victoria, giving Michelle two fewer children to look after. Originally Paul thought he might travel in the car with us. The only problem was, Bennett and the others wanted to be back for church the next morning, rather than stay overnight. Plus, although I wanted the others to come, and although I know it would have been nice for us all to travel up in one car together, I actually had some sort of a feeling like I wanted to be in Paul's meek company alone, during the drive up. Well Paul suddenly decided to drive his own car up, because he wanted to stay overnight. So it all came to pass exactly as I'd desired. Paul and I stayed overnight, whilst the others drove home on Saturday night.

I was hoping the others wouldn't be disappointed that we weren't all in one car, so I prayed that the Lord would pour out His river in their car during the drive up; and that He would cause each of them to be filled with awe and wonder about the whole trip.

God answered my prayer, because when we stopped to look at the Historic Tunnel just before Canungra, when they opened their car doors, we found them soaking in the Holy Spirit. God indeed poured out His river! God also answered my second prayer, because they so enjoyed the scenery on the way up; and then when we arrived in Muli Muli, instead of taking the first left turn I felt led to drive up to the second one; and when we drove slowly through a large group of children standing on the road, they all slapped our cars in joyous welcome, as though we were passing through some guard of honour, which my guests were delighted about! Not to mention the glorious afternoon sunrays beaming down on Mt Lindesay; and the beautiful sounds of the bellbirds as we passed through the rain-forest, which we wound our windows down to hear. It was all very nice. Mt Lindesay has different lighting on it everytime I go there; and this time was no exception.

The Christmas Rally at Muli has been going for more than 101 years, making it one of the oldest Pentecostal works in Australia. What is unique about the Pentecostalism of Muli, is that it was introduced to the Muli Muli community by an aborigine, not by white missionaries. A certain aboriginal brother had been brought-up by white Christians in North Queensland. The time came where this particular brother felt it was time he took the message of Pentecost to his people. So he began a missionary journey of his own, down the Coast of Queensland and into the Northern Rivers region of northern New South Wales, taking the message of Pentecost wherever he went. He walked to Muli Muli from Kyogle, lighting campfires along the way, camping out under the night sky. It would have taken weeks to walk some of the distances he walked.

When he arrived at Muli Muli, there were no houses there - only bark humpies and campfires. Muli Muli means many hills. The original aboriginal name for the community was a word that means bark.

These early aboriginal preachers couldn't read, but they were able to read the Bible.

It was good to see sister Charlotte Paige, the only person remaining who knows how to speak the aboriginal language of the community. She is a godly stalwart of a woman, and generous.

It was such a delight to me when Pastor Francis said from the pulpit, "It's good to see my good friend brother John here again".

I just loved talking with him, after the meeting. There is no-one quite like him, in gentleness, meekness, pureness and love of the Holy Spirit.

I think also that his son Philip has the same spirit.

After the meeting, the Lord said, "Don't go up to Pastor Francis's house", like I usually would. Instead I sensed that Paul and I were to be staying elsewhere that night, down lower, not as high up on the hill.

Whilst Pastor Francis was off arranging a place for us to stay, I still felt led not to go up the hill. And I felt led to approach some other white visitors to Muli just to say hello. Whilst I did so, another gentleman approached us, and together they invited us to spend the night at the house where they had been staying. It felt right in my spirit. It happened to be David's house, Pastor's Francis's son-in-law, in Woodenbong. Pastor Francis was more than happy for us to stay there.

So we went there to find a whole "house" with ten beds in it! It was as good a "hotel" as one could find in Woodenbong. It was already late when we arrived, so we didn't go next door and ask David if it was o.k., so assurred were the guys that it would be fine with David.

I was delighted with how God had led us to such suitable dwellings!

It also gave us the opportunity to get to know some wonderful people, in the morning, including David himself, whom we met for the first time in the morning. When I told us we'd actually stayed at his next-door house the night before, he laughed and said we are welcome. He actually told me that I am welcome to stay there anytime, even when they are not home. If I'm passing through, I may stay there; or I may even make a deliberate detour, just to stay there, he said. He said he has only made this offer to two people, and I'm one of them. "God recommended you," he said, and we embraced in the love of Jesus.

We gave out presents, and Paul gave out CDs of his worship music. After the morning meeting, I felt led to go up to Pastor Francis' house before we left. Paul seemed keen to keep talking over lunch; he even thought about staying for the night meeting - but I sensed that we would best aim to be home around 3pm, for his wife's sake.

Anyway, I didn't push it, so we were a bit later than that getting home. Some days later, Paul told me that his wife actually started to get worried at 3pm, because he wasn't home yet. "You're quite sensitive," he said.

It was lovely to fellowship with all the brethren again; what God has done at Muli Muli is a treasure.

Elder Robert Boota's position was made redundant, and he was offered a transfer, which would have meant moving. But Muli is his place, so he became unemployed, after working for them for 20 years. Instead, he started his own business, and now employs six people. He has won two tenders for cleaning and reforestration, and he charges $15,000 per kilometre. He does all the administrative work, whilst the other guys do all the labour. In a radius of many, many miles, he cleans the rivers of weed, etc. I was very impressed with his initiative and entrepreneurship.
Muli Muli

This year I invited Bennett to come with me to Muli Muli, and asked him to also invite Kahl and Stacey. The thought didn't occur to me to invite Belinda, even though she is one of their friends; and when I was about to invite Jocie, the Holy Spirit withstood me. And the evening we got back from Muli Muli, I went to church, and I learned from Belinda that she was at work the day we left, and Jocie was in New Zealand. So the Lord was leading me regarding who to invite. Everyone I invited was able to come.

Anyway, when I first invited Bennett, he didn't give me an answer straightaway. He decided to wait until later in the week to decide. And I also wanted to take Paul Payton with me. I felt like I wanted to go on Saturday and stay until Sunday. Anyway, Bennett contacted me on Friday night, keen to come. He offered to pick me up, in Stacey's car. The Lord always provides me a way of getting there! And Paul also contacted me, saying that he had a rare opportunity to come, because his two oldest kids were away in Victoria, giving Michelle two fewer children to look after. Originally Paul thought he might travel in the car with us. The only problem was, Bennett and the others wanted to be back for church the next morning, rather than stay overnight. Plus, although I wanted the others to come, and although I know it would have been nice for us all to travel up in one car together, I actually had some sort of a feeling like I wanted to be in Paul's meek company alone, during the drive up. Well Paul suddenly decided to drive his own car up, because he wanted to stay overnight. So it all came to pass exactly as I'd desired. Paul and I stayed overnight, whilst the others drove home on Saturday night.

I was hoping the others wouldn't be disappointed that we weren't all in one car, so I prayed that the Lord would pour out His river in their car during the drive up; and that He would cause each of them to be filled with awe and wonder about the whole trip.

God answered my prayer, because when we stopped to look at the Historic Tunnel just before Canungra, when they opened their car doors, we found them soaking in the Holy Spirit. God indeed poured out His river! God also answered my second prayer, because they so enjoyed the scenery on the way up; and then when we arrived in Muli Muli, instead of taking the first left turn I felt led to drive up to the second one; and when we drove slowly through a large group of children standing on the road, they all slapped our cars in joyous welcome, as though we were passing through some guard of honour, which my guests were delighted about! Not to mention the glorious afternoon sunrays beaming down on Mt Lindesay; and the beautiful sounds of the bellbirds as we passed through the rain-forest, which we wound our windows down to hear. It was all very nice. Mt Lindesay has different lighting on it everytime I go there; and this time was no exception.

The Christmas Rally at Muli has been going for more than 101 years, making it one of the oldest Pentecostal works in Australia. What is unique about the Pentecostalism of Muli, is that it was introduced to the Muli Muli community by an aborigine, not by white missionaries. A certain aboriginal brother had been brought-up by white Christians in North Queensland. The time came where this particular brother felt it was time he took the message of Pentecost to his people. So he began a missionary journey of his own, down the Coast of Queensland and into the Northern Rivers region of northern New South Wales, taking the message of Pentecost wherever he went. He walked to Muli Muli from Kyogle, lighting campfires along the way, camping out under the night sky. It would have taken weeks to walk some of the distances he walked.

When he arrived at Muli Muli, there were no houses there - only bark humpies and campfires. Muli Muli means many hills. The original aboriginal name for the community was a word that means bark.

These early aboriginal preachers couldn't read, but they were able to read the Bible.

It was good to see sister Charlotte Paige, the only person remaining who knows how to speak the aboriginal language of the community. She is a godly stalwart of a woman, and generous.

It was such a delight to me when Pastor Francis said from the pulpit, "It's good to see my good friend brother John here again".

I just loved talking with him, after the meeting. There is no-one quite like him, in gentleness, meekness, pureness and love of the Holy Spirit.

I think also that his son Philip has the same spirit.

After the meeting, the Lord said, "Don't go up to Pastor Francis's house", like I usually would. Instead I sensed that Paul and I were to be staying elsewhere that night, down lower, not as high up on the hill.

Whilst Pastor Francis was off arranging a place for us to stay, I still felt led not to go up the hill. And I felt led to approach some other white visitors to Muli just to say hello. Whilst I did so, another gentleman approached us, and together they invited us to spend the night at the house where they had been staying. It felt right in my spirit. It happened to be David's house, Pastor's Francis's son-in-law, in Woodenbong. Pastor Francis was more than happy for us to stay there.

So we went there to find a whole "house" with ten beds in it! It was as good a "hotel" as one could find in Woodenbong. It was already late when we arrived, so we didn't go next door and ask David if it was o.k., so assurred were the guys that it would be fine with David.

I was delighted with how God had led us to such suitable dwellings!

It also gave us the opportunity to get to know some wonderful people, in the morning, including David himself, whom we met for the first time in the morning. When I told us we'd actually stayed at his next-door house the night before, he laughed and said we are welcome. He actually told me that I am welcome to stay there anytime, even when they are not home. If I'm passing through, I may stay there; or I may even make a deliberate detour, just to stay there, he said. He said he has only made this offer to two people, and I'm one of them. "God recommended you," he said, and we embraced in the love of Jesus.

We gave out presents, and Paul gave out CDs of his worship music. After the morning meeting, I felt led to go up to Pastor Francis' house before we left. Paul seemed keen to keep talking over lunch; he even thought about staying for the night meeting - but I sensed that we would best aim to be home around 3pm, for his wife's sake.

Anyway, I didn't push it, so we were a bit later than that getting home. Some days later, Paul told me that his wife actually started to get worried at 3pm, because he wasn't home yet. "You're quite sensitive," he said.

It was lovely to fellowship with all the brethren again; what God has done at Muli Muli is a treasure.

Elder Robert Boota's position was made redundant, and he was offered a transfer, which would have meant moving. But Muli is his place, so he became unemployed, after working for them for 20 years. Instead, he started his own business, and now employs six people. He has won two tenders for cleaning and reforestration, and he charges $15,000 per kilometre. He does all the administrative work, whilst the other guys do all the labour. In a radius of many, many miles, he cleans the rivers of weed, etc. I was very impressed with his initiative and entrepreneurship.

Thursday 4 January 2007

Learning

Here's a testimony about how I suffered consequences this week because of failing to follow an inner witness; and how God graciously gave me further guidance through my spirit, to help me out of it:

On Monday afternoon I told my nephew that I'm going to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

But whilst I was in my room getting ready, I started to feel not quite right about going.

A few minutes later my nephew was all dressed and ready to go.

I noticed that for some reason, I still didn't feel quite right about going, but not wanting to go back on my word, and afraid of being labelled "indecisive", or of being criticized for making decisions based on a feeling in my spirit rather than my intellect, plus the fact that I just wanted to go out, we went anyway.

And about halfway there, my car broke down. It just stopped running, whilst we were still driving down the road.

We managed to push it into a carpark.

We still couldn't get it started, so I had the sense to ask the Lord what to do this time.

I sensed He was advising me to go home and make a phone call.

That was the first inner witness: I wasn't to try anything else there and then - I was to go home and get on the phone.

So David and I walked 30 minutes home.

On the way home I was asking the Lord whether I should join RACQ.

Then just at that very moment I looked up and saw an RACQ breakdown service vehicle turn the corner.

I felt it was a sign to me in the affirmative. That was the second inner witness.

When I got home, I researched RACQ's membership options on the Net, and I felt good in my spirit about it all so far.

The most suitable plan on offer meant that I would have to join for two years though, not one year, like I wanted; and I would have to pay a first-timer's joining fee plus an extra call-out fee because I needed immediate Breakdown Service.

It looked like the most suitable of their offers, so I picked-up the phone, ready to join.

Then suddenly I began to feel not right about something again.

I wondered, "Why would I feel right about joining RACQ at first, and then start not feeling right about it again?" It seemed a bit contradictory.

As a result, while I spoke to the staff member on the phone, I hesistated to commit - because although I initially felt I had a witness of the Spirit to join RACQ, my spirit was now feeling agitated, as if my spirit was picking-up from the Holy Spirit in my spirit that something wasn't quite right about each of the the available Membership options.

So I hung up the phone without joining.

But I really couldn't afford to delay, because I knew if I didn't remove my car from where we'd left it, soon it would be towed away.

Under each of their options, there was provision for any relative of mine who has existing membership with RACQ, to add my car under their Membership: and this way RACQ could allow my car to be signed-up for just one year instead of two, making it cheaper up front.

So I phoned my sister in Melbourne, intending to ask her if she would be willing to phone RACQ and authorize my vehicle to be included under her Membership - then all I would need to do is ring RACQ back, and pay for it using my own Bank Account details.

This seemed a bit awkward though, with her being so far away in Melbourne, and possibly a bit busy for me to expect her to stop whatever she was doing to make a phone call.

Then suddenly it dawned on me that my parents, right here at home with me on the Gold Coast, probably have RACQ Membership too. I don't know why I didn't think of it before.

So I asked them, and they do; and Dad was willing to speak to RACQ on the phone right away to authorize my vehicle being added under his Membership.

When the staff member took Dad's Membership details over the phone, she discovered that Dad has Gold Membership, and she informed my Dad that as a Gold Member, he is allowed to call the Breakdown Service to any car so long as he is present with the car when the Breakdown Service arrives.

So she advised Dad to simply be present at my vehicle when the Breakdown Service arrives - that way I could have my car attended to absolutely free of charge.

RACQ would come out immediately and for free.

That saved me a lot of money!

She explained further that since there could be times in the future when it may not be practical for Dad to be present at my vehicle in the event of a breakdown, she asked whether I would like to pay $63 - that way I can have my vehicle covered under any circumstances for one year, even when Dad isn't able to be present.

I decided to do that.

Under this arrangement, she was able to waive the first-timer's join-up fee; and there was no surcharge for the immediate Breakdown Service I required; plus I was allowed to pay for just one year's Membership instead of two.

None of these provisions had been mentioned under any of the Membership options I'd researched earlier on their Web site.

Quite a saving!

So I was delighted that the Holy Spirit prevented me from signing-up the first time I phoned.

He saved me over $100.

What would have been even better of course is if I had obeyed the Holy Spirit's witness not to drive to Pacific Fair in the first place.

It would have spared me all that walking (and spared me quite a bit of time too: because with walking home, talking on the phone, waiting for the Breakdown Service to arrive, then his unsuccessful attempts at fixing the car, and waiting for the tow truck to arrive and walking home the second time - it all added up to about three or four hours).

The problem with the engine turned-out to be an ignition problem, which cost $169, and by the next morning it was all fixed.

The engine sounds better now.

And I have a year's Breakdown Service Membership.

Combining the $63 Membership and the $169 - it so happened that I had the precise amount left in my usual Savings Account to pay for both.

God's advice is always so good, acceptable and perfect!

I told my nephew that the whole experience was another lesson to me about recongnizing and obeying the inner witness of the Spirit in our spirit.

My nephew and I talked about the "The Trichotomy of Man": man is spirit, he has a soul and he lives in a body.

I pointed-out that because unbelievers live in the natural realm and their spirit is dead in trespasses and sins, they therefore usually make decisions based on their flesh or their soul.

Believers, on the other hand, have been born again, so their spirit is made alive unto God, and God's Spirit lives in their spirit. Therefore, when God is going to lead His children, He is going to lead us through our spirit where He dwells, rather than through our soul (mind, will and emotions) or flesh - because God's Spirit dwells in our spirit.

We believers have the advantage of being led by the Spirit, through our spirit.

Sometimes we wonder, "Is that realy you Lord, or is it just me?"

Well, the Bible says: "he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit" - so perhaps it ought to feel like it is "just you" whenever the Lord leads you - because you and He are one spirit!

He leads us through our spirit.

We discussed how it feels to be led through one's spirit:

Sometimes a particular option may look good to the intellect, or to our emotions, or to our flesh, but we don't quite feel right about it in our spirit: we have an unexplainable sense of hesitancy, or a sense of dread, that just won't go away.

This feels a bit like stepping onto wet tiles with your socks on!

Or it's like a bird fluttering around trying to find a perch to land on that just can't seem to find a suitable one.


That's Jesus telling you not to do it, even though you may not know why not.

Then at other times you might still be lacking some crucial information about a certain option, yet you find you already feel right about it in your spirit, even though you don't yet have all the information you would need to know if you were to base your decision on your intellect alone: you feel nice and velvety about it in your spirit; you find you can confidently commit to it without hardly thinking twice about it.

That's Jesus telling you it's o.k. to go for it.

That's the green light, in your spirit.

No matter what field of life it is, there's great reward in learning to recognize and follow the inner witness of the Spirit, in our own spirit.

And if we've missed it in the past, we don't have to remain where we are. We can forget it and get up and keep going.

Praise God!
Learning

Here's a testimony about how I suffered consequences this week because of failing to follow an inner witness; and how God graciously gave me further guidance through my spirit, to help me out of it:

On Monday afternoon I told my nephew that I'm going to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

But whilst I was in my room getting ready, I started to feel not quite right about going.

A few minutes later my nephew was all dressed and ready to go.

I noticed that for some reason, I still didn't feel quite right about going, but not wanting to go back on my word, and afraid of being labelled "indecisive", or of being criticized for making decisions based on a feeling in my spirit rather than my intellect, plus the fact that I just wanted to go out, we went anyway.

And about halfway there, my car broke down. It just stopped running, whilst we were still driving down the road.

We managed to push it into a carpark.

We still couldn't get it started, so I had the sense to ask the Lord what to do this time.

I sensed He was advising me to go home and make a phone call.

That was the first inner witness: I wasn't to try anything else there and then - I was to go home and get on the phone.

So David and I walked 30 minutes home.

On the way home I was asking the Lord whether I should join RACQ.

Then just at that very moment I looked up and saw an RACQ breakdown service vehicle turn the corner.

I felt it was a sign to me in the affirmative. That was the second inner witness.

When I got home, I researched RACQ's membership options on the Net, and I felt good in my spirit about it all so far.

The most suitable plan on offer meant that I would have to join for two years though, not one year, like I wanted; and I would have to pay a first-timer's joining fee plus an extra call-out fee because I needed immediate Breakdown Service.

It looked like the most suitable of their offers, so I picked-up the phone, ready to join.

Then suddenly I began to feel not right about something again.

I wondered, "Why would I feel right about joining RACQ at first, and then start not feeling right about it again?" It seemed a bit contradictory.

As a result, while I spoke to the staff member on the phone, I hesistated to commit - because although I initially felt I had a witness of the Spirit to join RACQ, my spirit was now feeling agitated, as if my spirit was picking-up from the Holy Spirit in my spirit that something wasn't quite right about each of the the available Membership options.

So I hung up the phone without joining.

But I really couldn't afford to delay, because I knew if I didn't remove my car from where we'd left it, soon it would be towed away.

Under each of their options, there was provision for any relative of mine who has existing membership with RACQ, to add my car under their Membership: and this way RACQ could allow my car to be signed-up for just one year instead of two, making it cheaper up front.

So I phoned my sister in Melbourne, intending to ask her if she would be willing to phone RACQ and authorize my vehicle to be included under her Membership - then all I would need to do is ring RACQ back, and pay for it using my own Bank Account details.

This seemed a bit awkward though, with her being so far away in Melbourne, and possibly a bit busy for me to expect her to stop whatever she was doing to make a phone call.

Then suddenly it dawned on me that my parents, right here at home with me on the Gold Coast, probably have RACQ Membership too. I don't know why I didn't think of it before.

So I asked them, and they do; and Dad was willing to speak to RACQ on the phone right away to authorize my vehicle being added under his Membership.

When the staff member took Dad's Membership details over the phone, she discovered that Dad has Gold Membership, and she informed my Dad that as a Gold Member, he is allowed to call the Breakdown Service to any car so long as he is present with the car when the Breakdown Service arrives.

So she advised Dad to simply be present at my vehicle when the Breakdown Service arrives - that way I could have my car attended to absolutely free of charge.

RACQ would come out immediately and for free.

That saved me a lot of money!

She explained further that since there could be times in the future when it may not be practical for Dad to be present at my vehicle in the event of a breakdown, she asked whether I would like to pay $63 - that way I can have my vehicle covered under any circumstances for one year, even when Dad isn't able to be present.

I decided to do that.

Under this arrangement, she was able to waive the first-timer's join-up fee; and there was no surcharge for the immediate Breakdown Service I required; plus I was allowed to pay for just one year's Membership instead of two.

None of these provisions had been mentioned under any of the Membership options I'd researched earlier on their Web site.

Quite a saving!

So I was delighted that the Holy Spirit prevented me from signing-up the first time I phoned.

He saved me over $100.

What would have been even better of course is if I had obeyed the Holy Spirit's witness not to drive to Pacific Fair in the first place.

It would have spared me all that walking (and spared me quite a bit of time too: because with walking home, talking on the phone, waiting for the Breakdown Service to arrive, then his unsuccessful attempts at fixing the car, and waiting for the tow truck to arrive and walking home the second time - it all added up to about three or four hours).

The problem with the engine turned-out to be an ignition problem, which cost $169, and by the next morning it was all fixed.

The engine sounds better now.

And I have a year's Breakdown Service Membership.

Combining the $63 Membership and the $169 - it so happened that I had the precise amount left in my usual Savings Account to pay for both.

God's advice is always so good, acceptable and perfect!

I told my nephew that the whole experience was another lesson to me about recongnizing and obeying the inner witness of the Spirit in our spirit.

My nephew and I talked about the "The Trichotomy of Man": man is spirit, he has a soul and he lives in a body.

I pointed-out that because unbelievers live in the natural realm and their spirit is dead in trespasses and sins, they therefore usually make decisions based on their flesh or their soul.

Believers, on the other hand, have been born again, so their spirit is made alive unto God, and God's Spirit lives in their spirit. Therefore, when God is going to lead His children, He is going to lead us through our spirit where He dwells, rather than through our soul (mind, will and emotions) or flesh - because God's Spirit dwells in our spirit.

We believers have the advantage of being led by the Spirit, through our spirit.

Sometimes we wonder, "Is that realy you Lord, or is it just me?"

Well, the Bible says: "he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit" - so perhaps it ought to feel like it is "just you" whenever the Lord leads you - because you and He are one spirit!

He leads us through our spirit.

We discussed how it feels to be led through one's spirit:

Sometimes a particular option may look good to the intellect, or to our emotions, or to our flesh, but we don't quite feel right about it in our spirit: we have an unexplainable sense of hesitancy, or a sense of dread, that just won't go away.

This feels a bit like stepping onto wet tiles with your socks on!

Or it's like a bird fluttering around trying to find a perch to land on that just can't seem to find a suitable one.


That's Jesus telling you not to do it, even though you may not know why not.

Then at other times you might still be lacking some crucial information about a certain option, yet you find you already feel right about it in your spirit, even though you don't yet have all the information you would need to know if you were to base your decision on your intellect alone: you feel nice and velvety about it in your spirit; you find you can confidently commit to it without hardly thinking twice about it.

That's Jesus telling you it's o.k. to go for it.

That's the green light, in your spirit.

No matter what field of life it is, there's great reward in learning to recognize and follow the inner witness of the Spirit, in our own spirit.

And if we've missed it in the past, we don't have to remain where we are. We can forget it and get up and keep going.

Praise God!
Learning

Here's a testimony about how I suffered consequences this week because of failing to follow an inner witness; and how God graciously gave me further guidance through my spirit, to help me out of it:

On Monday afternoon I told my nephew that I'm going to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

But whilst I was in my room getting ready, I started to feel not quite right about going.

A few minutes later my nephew was all dressed and ready to go.

I noticed that for some reason, I still didn't feel quite right about going, but not wanting to go back on my word, and afraid of being labelled "indecisive", or of being criticized for making decisions based on a feeling in my spirit rather than my intellect, plus the fact that I just wanted to go out, we went anyway.

And about halfway there, my car broke down. It just stopped running, whilst we were still driving down the road.

We managed to push it into a carpark.

We still couldn't get it started, so I had the sense to ask the Lord what to do this time.

I sensed He was advising me to go home and make a phone call.

That was the first inner witness: I wasn't to try anything else there and then - I was to go home and get on the phone.

So David and I walked 30 minutes home.

On the way home I was asking the Lord whether I should join RACQ.

Then just at that very moment I looked up and saw an RACQ breakdown service vehicle turn the corner.

I felt it was a sign to me in the affirmative. That was the second inner witness.

When I got home, I researched RACQ's membership options on the Net, and I felt good in my spirit about it all so far.

The most suitable plan on offer meant that I would have to join for two years though, not one year, like I wanted; and I would have to pay a first-timer's joining fee plus an extra call-out fee because I needed immediate Breakdown Service.

It looked like the most suitable of their offers, so I picked-up the phone, ready to join.

Then suddenly I began to feel not right about something again.

I wondered, "Why would I feel right about joining RACQ at first, and then start not feeling right about it again?" It seemed a bit contradictory.

As a result, while I spoke to the staff member on the phone, I hesistated to commit - because although I initially felt I had a witness of the Spirit to join RACQ, my spirit was now feeling agitated, as if my spirit was picking-up from the Holy Spirit in my spirit that something wasn't quite right about each of the the available Membership options.

So I hung up the phone without joining.

But I really couldn't afford to delay, because I knew if I didn't remove my car from where we'd left it, soon it would be towed away.

Under each of their options, there was provision for any relative of mine who has existing membership with RACQ, to add my car under their Membership: and this way RACQ could allow my car to be signed-up for just one year instead of two, making it cheaper up front.

So I phoned my sister in Melbourne, intending to ask her if she would be willing to phone RACQ and authorize my vehicle to be included under her Membership - then all I would need to do is ring RACQ back, and pay for it using my own Bank Account details.

This seemed a bit awkward though, with her being so far away in Melbourne, and possibly a bit busy for me to expect her to stop whatever she was doing to make a phone call.

Then suddenly it dawned on me that my parents, right here at home with me on the Gold Coast, probably have RACQ Membership too. I don't know why I didn't think of it before.

So I asked them, and they do; and Dad was willing to speak to RACQ on the phone right away to authorize my vehicle being added under his Membership.

When the staff member took Dad's Membership details over the phone, she discovered that Dad has Gold Membership, and she informed my Dad that as a Gold Member, he is allowed to call the Breakdown Service to any car so long as he is present with the car when the Breakdown Service arrives.

So she advised Dad to simply be present at my vehicle when the Breakdown Service arrives - that way I could have my car attended to absolutely free of charge.

RACQ would come out immediately and for free.

That saved me a lot of money!

She explained further that since there could be times in the future when it may not be practical for Dad to be present at my vehicle in the event of a breakdown, she asked whether I would like to pay $63 - that way I can have my vehicle covered under any circumstances for one year, even when Dad isn't able to be present.

I decided to do that.

Under this arrangement, she was able to waive the first-timer's join-up fee; and there was no surcharge for the immediate Breakdown Service I required; plus I was allowed to pay for just one year's Membership instead of two.

None of these provisions had been mentioned under any of the Membership options I'd researched earlier on their Web site.

Quite a saving!

So I was delighted that the Holy Spirit prevented me from signing-up the first time I phoned.

He saved me over $100.

What would have been even better of course is if I had obeyed the Holy Spirit's witness not to drive to Pacific Fair in the first place.

It would have spared me all that walking (and spared me quite a bit of time too: because with walking home, talking on the phone, waiting for the Breakdown Service to arrive, then his unsuccessful attempts at fixing the car, and waiting for the tow truck to arrive and walking home the second time - it all added up to about three or four hours).

The problem with the engine turned-out to be an ignition problem, which cost $169, and by the next morning it was all fixed.

The engine sounds better now.

And I have a year's Breakdown Service Membership.

Combining the $63 Membership and the $169 - it so happened that I had the precise amount left in my usual Savings Account to pay for both.

God's advice is always so good, acceptable and perfect!

I told my nephew that the whole experience was another lesson to me about recongnizing and obeying the inner witness of the Spirit in our spirit.

My nephew and I talked about the "The Trichotomy of Man": man is spirit, he has a soul and he lives in a body.

I pointed-out that because unbelievers live in the natural realm and their spirit is dead in trespasses and sins, they therefore usually make decisions based on their flesh or their soul.

Believers, on the other hand, have been born again, so their spirit is made alive unto God, and God's Spirit lives in their spirit. Therefore, when God is going to lead His children, He is going to lead us through our spirit where He dwells, rather than through our soul (mind, will and emotions) or flesh - because God's Spirit dwells in our spirit.

We believers have the advantage of being led by the Spirit, through our spirit.

Sometimes we wonder, "Is that realy you Lord, or is it just me?"

Well, the Bible says: "he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit" - so perhaps it ought to feel like it is "just you" whenever the Lord leads you - because you and He are one spirit!

He leads us through our spirit.

We discussed how it feels to be led through one's spirit:

Sometimes a particular option may look good to the intellect, or to our emotions, or to our flesh, but we don't quite feel right about it in our spirit: we have an unexplainable sense of hesitancy, or a sense of dread, that just won't go away.

This feels a bit like stepping onto wet tiles with your socks on!

Or it's like a bird fluttering around trying to find a perch to land on that just can't seem to find a suitable one.


That's Jesus telling you not to do it, even though you may not know why not.

Then at other times you might still be lacking some crucial information about a certain option, yet you find you already feel right about it in your spirit, even though you don't yet have all the information you would need to know if you were to base your decision on your intellect alone: you feel nice and velvety about it in your spirit; you find you can confidently commit to it without hardly thinking twice about it.

That's Jesus telling you it's o.k. to go for it.

That's the green light, in your spirit.

No matter what field of life it is, there's great reward in learning to recognize and follow the inner witness of the Spirit, in our own spirit.

And if we've missed it in the past, we don't have to remain where we are. We can forget it and get up and keep going.

Praise God!